Sliver container



March 3, 1953 J. R. LONGSTRYEET 2,630,243

SLIVER CONTAINER Filed June 24, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet Z INVENTOR.

JHMEE RLBN ETR ET HTrnR'NEy March 3, 1953 .1. R. LONGSTREET 3 SLIVER CONTAINER Filed June 24, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. JHMEE RLiILhHSTREE-l' HTTUR'NEY Fatented Mar. 3, 1953 SLIVER CONTAINER James R. Longstreet, Maple Heights, Ohio, as-

signor to The Warner & Swasey Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application'June-24', 1947 Serial No. 756,773

4 Claims.

My invention relates to packaging staplefibersof the type processed for ultimate use in woven. and knitted fabrics and relates tov containers for such fibers.

A primary object of the invention is to form. better and more nearly uniform fiber packages and to protect the package, preserving the fiber in the most suitable condition for subsequent processing.

Cans or containers are employed inthe processing of staple fibers to facilitatev the handling of. the stock in the form of sliver. lay of the sliver, such containers are used with coiling heads on certain types of cards,v combs, pin drafters, blending boxes, and the. like.

One type of container used on such. machines is a simple round can, rotated at a speed related to the speed of the coiler head. The sliver is delivered without coil control. into. such a can until a volume of stock has filled the can loosely to the level of the press plate of the coiler head, after which the coils will be controlled in orderly fashion. The stock delivered by the coiler head. in the bottom of the can is loosely controlled and tends to tumble. This amount of stock in relation to the total packed in the container may equal 30 to 4.0% of the total weight of stock in. the container. When removing the stock from the container in a subsequent operation, this volume of loosely controlled sliver will be found; to have crimps and flares detrimental to subsequent operations.

Another type of container is similar tothe foregoing type with the addition of a. large coil spring loosely fitted in the container, the head of the spring being covered by a disc of lesser diameter than the inside of the can. The purpose of the spring is to enable the coils of sliver to. be .controlled neatly from the first layer to the last, for as the stock is fed to the disc near the top of the can, successive layers of sliver further compress the SplIng until the can is filled. As the spring compresses under increasing volumes of stock, a potential load is built up within the container. When the conta ner is removed. from the coiler the natural spring of the stock plus the com.- pressive load of the spring causes the stock in the can to pop abnormally above the level of the container. This is a source of trouble in subsequent operations owing to the tendency of the .stock to tumble and be roughed. Moreover, springs deteriorate while compressed during hold-over periods between operations, giving a, further source of diificulty.

It is accordingly an object of my invention to To control the.

avoid tumbling, crimping, flaring or otherwise damaging staple fibers or. varyingv their condition while being packaged for transfer from one; stage of processing to the next or while being stored awaiting the next stage of processing. A, more specific object is to control, the lay of the fiber in. the package continuously from the beginning to the end of the formation of the package. Still another object is to provide. an improved container for accomplishing these aims.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of invention will become apparent as the. description proceeds.

In, carrying out my invention in accordance with a preferred form thereof, sliver is delivered from a coiler head to a load plate or sliver sup- Porting late placed closely under the coiler head- The. plate is frictionally supported with snificient frictional force to balance only the force With whichrthegsliver is delivered from the coiler head to the plate in addition to the weight of stock req ired to form. from one-third to one-half of a fiber package.

Preferably a container is employed comprising a cylindrical receptacle with a reinforced bottom. supporting a vertical center post in the form of a tubular rod or mandrel extendingsubstantiallyto the to of the container. Within this tubular rod is an extension member of. suitable length.

At the upper end of the main tubular rod is:

mounted a slidable frictional gland with an adjusting nut for, varying the frictional force applied to, the tubular rod. The load plate or sliver supporting plate is in the form of a disc of less diameter than the inside diameter of the cylindrical receptacle. The frictional gland has a flange upon which the load disc rests or to which it may be secured, so, that the flange serves as the. hub of the load disc. The gland is set for a frictional load suifieient to hold the load plate up against the-coiler head and permit the load plate to descend only gradually as the coiler head delivers more fiber and increases the size and weight of the package of fiber.

A better understanding of, the invention will be afforded by the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation (partially in section) of twin; coiling apparatus for packaging the output of, a fiber processing maohinesuch as a twin pin drafter;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig; 1, with a portion broken away to expose the interior mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the rotating container support, representing a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1 below the plane 33;

Fig. 4 is a view of the apparatus of Fig. 3 represented as cut by a broken plane 44;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view of one of the package-receiving containers of Fig. 1, shown with the sliver supporting load disc in its uppermost position;

Fig. 6 is a corresponding view of the container a little over half filled, with the load disc in its partially descended position;

Fig. 7 is a top view of a container showing coiled stock therein;

Fig. 8 is a vertical-sectional view of the completely filled container with the extension member ulled up to hold the coils of upwardly bulging stock in position; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the portion of Fig. 5 around the friction gland.

The apparatus is illustrated in Fig. 1 as being mounted at the end of a fiber processing machine, such as a twin strand pin drafting machine for example, having a framework II. There is a movable base or platform l2 for carrying a pair of containers I3 and adapted to be set on the floor adjacent the framework II as close thereto as permitted by the size of the containers I3. The movability of the platform I2 adapts it to use with different diameters of containers I3. For coiling the stock delivered to the containers I3, there is a pair of coiling heads I4. For enabling the containers I3 to be rotated regardless of the position of the platform I2 with respect to the framework II, a universal jointed shaft I5 is provided, and there is a gear head for driving both the coiling heads I4 and the cam rotating shaft |5 from a sprocket I6. This sprocket I6 is adapted to be connected by a chain, not shown, to a suitable driving sprocket on the fiber processing machine of which the framework N forms a part.

The sprocket I6 is shown as mounted on a horizontal shaft I! carrying a bevel gear I8 adapted to mesh with a second bevel gear l9 secured to a vertical stub shaft 2| carrying one member of a universal joint 22 for driving the shaft I5 and carrying a pinion 23 for driving the coiling head I4.

Each of the coiling heads I4 includes a stationar bell-like member or housing 24 secured to a top plate 25 secured to the framework II and adapted to fit closely above the top edges of the containers I3. At the center of each housing 24 there is a guide eye 26 adapted to receive a strand 2'! of fiber from the processing machine having the framework II, such as a pin drafting machine, for example.

Each coiling head I4 includes a pair of delivery rollers 28 for drawing the strand 2! down to the guide eye 26 and passing it through a second guide eye or funnel, not shown, into a point eccentric with respect to the axis of the container I3, For the purpose of coiling the strand and delivering it to points around the circumference of a small circle eccentric to the crosssection of the container I3, the delivery rollers 28 are arranged to be carried around to different positions with respect to the center of the container I3. As shown in Fig. 2, coiling heads are arranged to fit above about one-half the diameter of the container I3.

In order that the rollers 28 may simultaneously be rotated and revolved about the guide eye 21 at the axis of the coiling head, the rollers '28 are secured to bearings, not shown in detail, carried by a large gear 29 meshing through an intermediate pinion 30 the driving pinion 23. Furthermore, a roller-rotating unit is provided, comprising a stationary bevel gear 3| coaxially fixed under the top of the bell casing 24, a small bevel gear 32 meshing the bevel gear 3| and secured to a common shaft of a gear 33, and a roller driving pinion 34 meshing the gear 33. Bearings, not shown in detail, for the gears 33 and 34 are mounted in a bracket 35 secured to the large base gear 29.

For enabling the containers I3 to be rotated by the universal jointed shaft I5, gearing is provided in the base or platform I2, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The platform carries a pair of turntables 36 rotatable on vertical shafts 31 secured to the base [2. Preferably, each turntable 36 has an outer flange 38 for holding large diameter containers and may also have an inner flange 39 for centering small diameter containers. It is to be understood that there are several different standard diameters of containers, which are generally used in worsted processing in connection with transferring stock from one operato the next.

The turntables 36 are each formed with an annular rib 4| having gear teeth 42 with which a pinion 43 is adapted to mesh. At the lower end of the container rotating shaft I5 there is a stub shaft 44 rotatably mounted in the base I2 and carrying one member of a universal joint 45 as well as an eccentric 46, fixed thereto.

For obtaining a large reduction in speed from the shaft 44 to the pinion 43, a differential gear arrangement is provided, comprising two internal gears differing by one in the number of teeth and each adapted to mesh with a ring gear 41, rotatively mounted on the eccentric 46. The gear cover is formed with internal teeth 48 meshing with the ring gear 41. There is a rotatable gear having both internal teeth 49 meshing with the ring gear 41 and external teeth 50 meshing with the gear 43, The cover forms a fixed gear and may have a number of internal teeth 48, either one more or one less than the number of internal gear teeth 49.

As shown in Fig. 6, each of the containers l3 comprises a cylindrical shell 5| composed of either metal or fiber sheet material with a flanged bottom 52 to which a reinforcing plate 53 is riveted or otherwise secured. In the embodiment illustrated, the bottom 52 has a flange 54 riveted to the lower end of the cylindrical shell 5|; but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to employing any particular fastening means. The reinforcing plate 53 is provided with a raised rim or boss 55. The boss 55 of the reinforcing plate 53 and the bottom plate 52 are provided with a bore 56 in which is mounted a centerpost 57 in the form of a tubular rod. The centerpost 51 is secured by welds 58 or other suitable means in the bore 56.

An extension member 59 is slidably mounted in the upper end of the tubular rod 51 and is provided a head 6| serving as a handle or grip. Preferably, the lower end of the extension member is split as shown at 62 and slightly sprung outward so as to provide a resilient frictional contact with the inner surface of the tubular rod 51 and to retain the extension member 59 in any position to which it may be moved,

A load plate 63 is provided in the form of a disc having an opening of sufficient diameter to receive the centerpost 51 and a friction gland or hub 64 is provided for securing the load plate 63 movably on the centerpost 51.

The friction gland 64 is-in the form of a cup having a flange 65 upon which the load plate 63 is adapted to rest. The load plates 63 is shown as permanently secured to the flange 65 by fastening means such as rivets 66, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to having the disc 63 permanently attached to the flange 65. For movably securing the gland 64 upon the hollow rod 51, packing is provided which may take the form of fiber or felt washers 61 with the packing nut 68 threaded into the upper portion of the gland 64, for adjusting the pressure of the packing rings 61. The nut 68 is turned to such a position that the frictional force holding the gland or hub 64 of the load plate 63 on the centerpost or rod 51 is greater than the weight of stock required to fill the container l3 about one-third full, but less than the weight required to fill the container half full.

When the apparatus processing the stock is in operation, the sprocket i6 is being driven. Simultaneously, rotation takes place of the schematically indicated delivery rollers 28, the coiling head 2% and the container-supporting turntables 33. Consequently, the strands of fiber 21 are continuously drawn from the fiber processing machine to which the coiler heads are attached. As the strands 2'! are drawn through the guide eyes 26 by the delivery rollers 28, each strand falls into the appropriate container l3 at a point somewhere between the center and the edge of the container. Owing to the fact that the coiler head 24 is rotating, the strands fall in coils 69 lying along the outer edge of the container 13, as shown in Fig. '7. The continuous rotation of the containers l3 by the turntables 38 causes the coils to fall in progressively different angular positions around the center of the container 13 to form the overlapping coil arrangement shown in Fig. '7. The action of the delivery rollers 28 in forcing stock into the container applies some pressure to the load plate 63 which overcomes the frictional force of the packing washers 61 and causes the load plate 63 to descend only far enough to provide space for the coils of stock being delivered by the rollers 28. After sufficient strands have been delivered to fill the container [3 one-third to one-half, the weight of the stock is sufiicient to cause the plate as to descend. However, at all times relatively little space is provided between the coiler head 2d and the top of the stock already resting on the plate 63 so that the stock is not permitted to tumble into the container l3, and continuous control of the coils is obtained. That is to say, at all times the stock is obliged to fall in the form of overlapping coils 69, as shown in Fig. 7. This avoids crimping or distorting individual lengths of fiber.

The delivery rollers 28 continue to supply stock to the container l3 after the fibers have reached the top of the container 13 and the additional stock acts against the springiness of the stock below until the required weight of stock has been delivered to the container I3. The apparatus is then stopped and the container [3 is removed from under the coiler heads. As the container i3 is removed, the extension member 59 is drawn upward by grasping the handle 6 I. Consequently, as the upper portion II of the stock springs up, as shown in Fig. 8, it is held in position by the extension member 59 and prevented from toppling over the sideo'f'the container. This action also avoids the damage to the stock or the crimping which might result if portions of stock which. had bulged over with misshapen coils were merely stufie'd'back into the container preparatory to placing the conventional cover on the container prior to shipment.-

In mills where succe'ssiveproce'sses are carried out on the stock, thefiber is withdrawn from the top of the container into the next processing machine. The container then serves as a delivery container for the next machine. After the container has been emptied, the load plate 63 is pulled up to the upper end of the centerpost 51 in any suitable manner, as by means of a rod (not shown) having a handle at the upper end and a hook at the lower end adapted to engage openings such as 12 in the plate 63.

While I have described my invention as embodied in concrete form and as operating in a specific manner in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, it should be understood that I do not limit my invention thereto, since various modifications thereof will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the annexed claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A sliver container comprising in combination a cylindrical receptacle, having a base supporting a vertical centerpost, a sliver supporting disc of smaller diameter than said receptacle, having a hub surrounding said centerpost, packing in said hub for frictionally holding said hub upon said post, a movable collar for adjusting the pressure of said packing to cause the frictional force thereof on said post to approach the force applied to the sliver in filling said container, and an upper extension for said post adapted to be pulled up for laterally supporting sliver bulging from said container when filling pressure therein is relieved.

2. A sliver container comprising in combination a cylindrical receptacle, having a base supporting a vertical centerpost, a sliver supporting disc of smaller diameter than said receptacle, having a hub surrounding said centerpost, packing in said hub for frictionally holding said hub upon said post, and a movable collar for adjusting the pressure of said packing to cause the frictional force thereof on said post to approach the force applied to the sliver in filling said container.

3. A sliver container comprising in combination a cylindrical receptacle, having a base supporting a vertical centerpost, and a sliver supporting disc of smaller diameter than said receptacle, having a hub surrounding said centerpost, and packing in said hub for frictionally holding said hub upon said post and resisting the motion of the support disc with a constant force as the disc is loaded with sliver.

4. A sliver container comprising in combination a cylindrical receptacle, having a base supporting a vertical centerpost, and a sliver supporting disc of smaller diameter than said receptacle, having a hub surrounding said centerpost, and packing in said hub for frictionally holding said hub upon said post, and an upper extension for said post adapted to be pulled up.

JAMES R. LONGSTREET.

(References on following page) 7 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 269,638 Compton Dec. 26, 1882 403,304 Sutclifie et a1 May 14, 1889 646,135 Smith Mar. 27, 1900 Number 8 Name Date Speight Oct. 24, 1911 Cook Aug. 12, 1919 Woerner et a1 Oct. 17, 1933 Klomparens Dec. 4, 1934 Holdsworth Oct. 22, 1935 Jones May 26, 1936 Layher Sept. 15, 1942 

